Elizabeth Gilbert, who has written a few books (none of which I’ve read yet) but is best known for her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love gave a talk at TED this year. I hadn’t given Gilbert’s books a thought before watching this, but now I’m intrigued to delve into her work. I’m particularly fascinated (surprise, surprise) by her non-fiction book, The Last American Man, which about an unfamous and pretty hardcore guy who lives in the woods and makes, gathers, or hunts most of what he needs in life. I’m endlessly fascinated by people who check out of the group and live on the outside, looking in. But back to Gilbert.
Her TED talk had nothing to do with the subjects of her books, but rather the question of whether we should really give artists all the credit for their work as it is either devastating or ego-boosting and can be equally toxic to the fragile human psyche. Her thoughts on the subject are funny and insightful. Thrown in a really good Tom Waits story and I’m sure I need to pick up at least one of her books.
Nika had a copy of Eat, Pray, Love, which she loaned me a while back. You should see if she still has it. I liked it.